Earl Grey Cinnamon Sour

If you love tea cocktails like me—or just want something bright, cozy, and a little unexpected—the Earl Grey Cinnamon Sour is such a fun twist on a classic sour.

Earl Grey tea gives the drink soft citrusy bergamot notes, the cinnamon syrup adds warm winter spice, and the lemon keeps everything crisp and balanced.

It’s light but still layered, refreshing but also comforting.

The Twist

Add egg white for a velvety, cloudlike texture that turns this into a true sour-style cocktail. It’s a small change that makes a big difference.

Mocktail Version

• Use non-alcoholic gin
• Add an extra splash of chilled Earl Grey tea
• Keep the cinnamon syrup and lemon
• Shake the same way
• Garnish as usual

It’s bright, tea-forward, and perfect for guests avoiding alcohol.

How to Make the Perfect Earl Grey Tea for Cocktails

Brew it slightly stronger than you would for drinking—this helps the flavor shine through the gin.

• Use 1 tea bag (or 1 tsp loose leaf)
• Steep in 3 oz hot water for 3–4 minutes
• Chill completely before using

Warm tea will melt your ice too fast and throw off the balance.

Home Bar Tips

Use a fresh lemon.
Even small differences in acidity matter in a sour.

Chill your tea.
Warm tea makes the drink watery. Cold tea keeps it balanced.

Choose a gin that complements tea.
Bright citrusy gins or floral-forward gins work best.

Cinnamon syrup strength varies.
Start with 0.5 oz—you can always adjust up next time if you want more spice.

What If I Don’t Have…?

No Earl Grey?
Try:

• English Breakfast (stronger, richer)
• Lady Grey (lighter, citrusier)
• Jasmine tea (floral, elegant)

No cinnamon syrup?
Use honey syrup + a pinch of cinnamon.
Or simple syrup + a tiny splash of vanilla.

No gin?
Vodka makes it softer.
NA gin works fine for mocktails.

Troubleshooting

“It’s too tart.”

• Reduce lemon to 0.5 oz
• Add 0.25 oz more syrup

“Too sweet.”

• Increase lemon slightly
• Shake longer for more dilution

“Tea flavor is too weak.”

• Brew stronger tea
• Increase Earl Grey to 1.25 oz

“The drink tastes watery.”

• Use less ice
• Shake faster, not longer
• Make sure tea is fully chilled

Earl Grey Cinnamon Sour Recipe

Glass: Coupe glass
Ice: For shaking only

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz chilled Earl Grey tea (I use this one)
• 0.5 oz cinnamon simple syrup
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice

Garnish: Lemon twist or a light dusting of cinnamon

Instructions

1. Add gin, chilled Earl Grey tea, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake until cold—about 10–12 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist or a pinch of cinnamon.

Want a Silkier Version?

Add an egg white.

To do it properly:

1. Add all ingredients + egg white to a shaker without ice.
2. Dry shake hard for 15 seconds.
3. Add ice and shake again until frothy.
4. Strain into a coupe and admire your foam.

It makes the cocktail feel richer without making it heavy.